KJL's TV Dinners: Aunt Bee's Apple Pie

"Why Andy's the best friend I got in the whole world. And as far as I'm concerned, he's the best Sheriff, too. All them things I said; for example, his using the squad car for personal reasons. Sure, he was delivering groceries to Emma Watson because she was too sick to get down to the market. And that's just one example of the things Andy's done for the folks in this town. I could give you a lot more. You gotta understand, this is a small town. The Sheriff is more than just a Sheriff. He's a friend. And the people in this town, they ain't got a better friend than Andy Taylor." - Deputy Barney Fife, "The Andy Griffith Show"

(photo/Law.com)

Sixty years ago, on October 3, 1960, America was invited to visit Mayberry, North Carolina for the first time on The Andy Griffith Show. Right away, viewers met Sheriff Andy Taylor (Andy Griffith), his comical Deputy Barney Fife (Don Knotts), Andy's adorable son, Opie (Ron Howard), Andy's Aunt Bee (Frances Bavier), and an outstanding ensemble of supporting characters who make up the town of Mayberry. 

While the show centers on Andy Taylor and his life, Mayberry is the true star. As Sheriff, Andy encounters humorous day-to-day adventures in town. Every townsperson is unique and hilarious to watch. There is always something going on in Mayberry, even if it's a small, quaint town in the 1960s. It may be small, but it's lively. 

Andy Griffith, Don Knotts, and Jim Nabors in The Andy Griffith Show (photo/Fame Focus).

Sixty years later, the show is still popular, thanks to reruns. I love to watch reruns anytime I can. The stories resonate with me--providing love and comfort, which is especially important right now during these challenging times. By watching The Andy Griffith Show, you remember "the good old days." You remember when communities were close-knit and they focused on the importance of family and humanity values. 

We need to watch the show now more than ever before. It can serve as a lesson to take it easy, slow down our pace, and lend a helping hand to our neighbors. Andy Taylor always helped someone, no matter who it was or his history with them. He helped because he knew that's what he should be doing. He taught this lesson to his son, and he also taught this to the television viewers. 

I'm thankful for these life lessons. I'm thankful to still watch a show that always feels like home--and that the characters feel like family. 

Aunt Bee's Apple Pie 

For today's blog post, I decided to create a recipe from the show to honor Aunt Bee. She moved in with Andy and Opie in the show's pilot. Andy's a widower and single father, and Aunt Bee helps take care of the house. She's sweet, well-mannered, and expects Opie to follow these same manners. 

Aunt Bee is known for her cooking. In the pilot episode, she serves a platter of fried chicken with all the trimmings. She's associated with wholesome, home-cooked meals. Andy loves her pork chops and cornbread biscuits. Opie's favorite dessert is Aunt Bee's butterscotch pecan pie. She often brings meals and desserts to community and church events. She even brings picnic baskets to Mayberry's jail for Andy, Barney, and the inmates. She's just that kind of sweet woman who works hard in the kitchen to provide delicious food for her family and friends. 

(photo/Brittanica)

Aunt Bee loved to bake pies. She seemed to always have a pie in the kitchen, which seems representative of the 1960s. My grandmother baked a lot of pies, as well. For this blog, I'm sharing a recipe for apple pie--a dessert Aunt Bee also made numerous times on the show. Everyone was lucky to enjoy her apple pie. This recipe (inspired by Pillsbury) is simple, semi-sweet, and delicious for a fall day. 

To bake this dessert, you will need the following ingredients: 

• 1 box Pillsbury refrigerated pie crusts, softened as directed on box 
• 6 c. peeled apples (6 medium), cubed 
• 3/4 c. sugar
• 2 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
• 3/4 tsp. ground cinnamon 
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/8 tsp. ground nutmeg 
• 1 Tbsp. lemon juice 

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Add the apples to a large mixing bowl. Gently mix the other ingredients in with the apples. Place one pie crust in an ungreased 9-inch pie plate. Press firmly against the side and bottom. Use a knife to cut off the excess pie crust. 

Spoon the filling mixture into the crust-lined pie plate, spreading out to cover the crust. Top with the second crust. Wrap the excess top crust under the bottom crust edge, pressing the edges together to seal. Make a decorative pattern in the top edge of the pie crust. 

Cut slits in several places in the top crust. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the apples are tender and the crust is golden brown. After the first 15 to 20 minutes of baking, cover the edge of the crust with 2- to 3-inch wide strips of foil to prevent excessive browning. 

Cool on a cooling rack for at least two hours before serving. Enjoy! Now you can bake just like Aunt Bee. Isn't that everyone's dream? 

-KJL-